- An ACRA company search via Bizfile verifies whether a business is legally registered in Singapore, confirming its registration status, UEN, and basic entity details, all accessible free of charge.
- A full Bizfile Business Profile (S$5.50) reveals directors, shareholders, paid-up capital, and compliance filings, essential for due diligence before signing contracts or committing funds.
- Registration alone does not guarantee a company is operating legitimately. Cross-referencing status, compliance history, and activity against what a company claims is the complete verification picture.
An ACRA company search is the fastest way to check company registration in Singapore. From flashy websites to polished Instagram shops, anyone can look legit these days. But here’s the reality: according to the Singapore Police Force, scam and cybercrime cases in Singapore jumped by 10.8% last year, hitting 55,810. That’s thousands of people caught off guard by businesses that seemed trustworthy.
So before you engage, pay, or partner, do a quick ACRA company search. It could save you time, money, and a major headache.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to check if a company is legit in Singapore using official records, step by step.
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Why checking company registration in Singapore matters
Verifying a company’s registration status through ACRA protects you against fraud, financial exposure, and regulatory risk, three distinct problems that a single free search can help you sidestep.
- Fraud prevention: Shell companies and impersonators exploit Singapore’s trusted business reputation. An ACRA UEN search confirms the entity exists and is active before you transfer funds or share sensitive data.
- Legal compliance: For contracts, employment arrangements, and corporate tax filings, all counterparties must be legally registered entities. ACRA records are the authoritative reference.
- Credible business relationships: Investors, suppliers, and enterprise clients routinely run company searches before onboarding a new vendor or signing a term sheet. Being verifiable builds trust on both sides.
- Avoid financial risk – If you partner with a non-compliant or dormant company, you could be exposed to unpaid invoices, delivery delays, or worse, regulatory violations.
What is ACRA?
ACRA stands for the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, which is Singapore’s national regulator for businesses.
It maintains a central register of all companies, LLPs, and sole proprietorships. As Singapore’s official government body, it oversees all business entities, public accountants, and corporate service providers.
Think of ACRA as the source of truth for company data in Singapore. If a business is officially registered here, it’s recorded and regulated by ACRA.
What kind of information does ACRA hold?
Through a Bizfile ACRA search, you can access:
- Company status – Whether it’s “Live,” “Struck Off,” “In Liquidation,” or dormant
- Unique Entity Number (UEN) – A company’s official registration ID
- Registered business address – The legal location listed for business correspondence
- Principal business activities – Based on SSIC codes
- Incorporation date – When the business was officially formed
- Details of directors and shareholders – Who’s behind the company
- Compliance history – Annual return filings, AGMs, and financial statements (where applicable)
However, through Bizfile, you can perform a free directory search to check basic details such as the company name, UEN, status, and registered address. More detailed information (such as directors, shareholders, and filings) is available by purchasing the ACRA Business Profile.
How to check if a company is legit in Singapore (Step-by-step)
Here’s how to check company registration in Singapore via ACRA:
Step 1: Go to the Bizfile website
Visit bizfile.gov.sg. You don’t need an account for a basic ACRA company search.
Step 2: Use the “Entity Search” on Bizfile
Click “Entity Search” from the homepage. Enter either the full company name, part of it, or their UEN (Unique Entity Number) and hit “Search”.
Step 3: Review the business information
You’ll see information like:
- Company name
- UEN
- Entity type (e.g., Private Limited)
- Registration status (e.g., Live)
- Registered address
- Business activity
If all you need is a quick legitimacy company check, this free summary may be enough.
Step 4: (Optional) Purchase the business profile
For S$5.50, you can download a full ACRA business profile. This includes:
- Shareholders and directors
- Paid-up capital
- Financial filings (if applicable)
- Compliance records
💡 Using the UEN in your Singapore company registry search ensures you’re checking the exact business.
What red flags should you look for when verifying a company?
An ACRA search is not just a confirmation exercise. It is also a risk filter. Look for these signals when reviewing results:
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What to check |
Why it matters |
Action if flagged |
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Registration status |
A ‘Struck Off’ or ‘In Liquidation’ status means the company is no longer legally active — any contract it signs is unenforceable. |
Do not engage. Request a new entity if applicable. |
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AGM and Annual Return filings |
Missed filings indicate poor governance. ACRA can strike off companies that repeatedly fail to file their Annual Return within 7 months of the financial year-end. |
Ask for an explanation; order the Business Profile to see the full history. |
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Registered address |
A virtual mailbox address is not itself a red flag, but an address that contradicts the company’s claimed operations warrants further questions. |
Cross-check against the company website, invoices, and LinkedIn. |
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Principal activities (SSIC code) |
If the SSIC code on ACRA does not match what the company claims to do, that is a material inconsistency. |
Raise it directly. Mismatched activities can signal licensing or regulatory issues. |
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Frequent director changes |
Multiple director changes within a short period can indicate governance instability or attempts to avoid accountability. |
Order the Business Profile to review the full officer timeline. |
Quick summary: Check registration status first. If it reads anything other than “Live”, stop there. For active companies, the three highest-risk signals are missed Annual Return filings (a governance red flag), a principal activity code that does not match what the company actually does, and a pattern of rapid director changes. A virtual office address is common in Singapore and not itself suspicious, but cross-check it if anything else looks off. When two or more of these flags appear together, the S$5.50 Bizfile Business Profile is worth buying before you proceed.
Bonus: Tips for smarter company registration check in Singapore
- Cross-check with LinkedIn, company website, and press mentions.
- If in doubt, order the Business Profile for S$5.50.
- For HR or recruitment due diligence, use the ACRA People Profile.
- Scan for mismatched info across social media, invoices, or contracts.
When is an ACRA company search not enough?
An ACRA search confirms legal registration, but it does not tell you everything you need to know before committing to a business relationship. Here is when you should go further:
- You are about to sign a significant contract: Buy the Business Profile (S$5.50) to verify directors, shareholders, and capital structure. A ‘Live’ status on the free search does not reveal whether the company has a history of disputes or missed filings.
- You are onboarding a new supplier or vendor: Cross-reference the ACRA data with the company’s website, LinkedIn, and publicly available press mentions. Mismatches between claimed operations and SSIC codes are worth questioning.
- You are checking an individual’s directorship history: Use the ACRA People Profile to check whether a specific individual has been disqualified from acting as a director under Section 155 of the Companies Act.
- You are investing or lending: ACRA records do not include credit history, litigation records, or banking relationships. Complement the ACRA search with a credit bureau check and legal due diligence for high-value transactions.
How Sleek helps you go beyond the ACRA company search
Whether you’re a founder, investor, vendor, or just doing your due diligence, a Singapore company registration check via ACRA is the fastest and most reliable way to confirm if a business is legitimate.
Don’t skip this step, because in business, trust should be verified, not assumed.
Remember, running a company check is just the beginning. Maybe you’re:
- A freelancer who’s unsure if that new client is legit
- An investor double-checking before committing funds
- A first-time founder wondering if you are even properly registered
Whatever brought you here, Sleek helps you take the next step with clarity, confidence, and zero jargon. We’ve helped thousands of businesses decode ACRA records and avoid costly mistakes.
- We verify and explain ACRA records so you don’t miss hidden issues
- We guide you on how to register a business if you’re just starting out
- We track your filings so you don’t fall out of compliance
- We make paperwork feel… a little less painful
Think of Sleek as your business sidekick, ready to help anytime you hit a “Wait… is this normal?” moment.
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⭐ WHAT CLIENTS SAY |
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“I have had a great experience with Sleek incorporating my business. They respond to emails quickly and explain everything very clearly. Recommend!” — Nutrition Project, Google Review “Sleek provides a seamless company incorporation service in Singapore and has my highest recommendation. Special shout-out to Mr. Lovish Kumar for his prompt response to all my queries.” — Ridhima Bector, Google Review |
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FAQs about ACRA company search in Singapore
Why can’t I find the company on ACRA even though they have a website?
If a company isn’t listed on ACRA, it may not be legally registered in Singapore. Some businesses operate under foreign registrations, informal structures, or are outright scams. Always ask for a UEN or official business profile before engaging.
What does 'Struck Off' mean on an ACRA company search?
A ‘Struck Off’ status means ACRA has removed the company from the register. This typically happens when a company fails to file its Annual Return for two or more consecutive years, or when a company voluntarily applies to be deregistered. A struck-off company cannot legally enter contracts, hold bank accounts, or conduct business. You should not engage commercially with a struck-off entity.
What is a UEN and why does it matter for ACRA searches?
A UEN (Unique Entity Number) is the official identifier assigned by ACRA to every registered business in Singapore. It serves the same function as a company registration number in other jurisdictions. Searching by UEN rather than company name eliminates ambiguity, especially for companies with similar or common names. For contracts, invoices, and government filings, always use the UEN.
How often should I check if a company is still registered?
For ongoing relationships, like suppliers, partners, or clients, it’s smart to do a quick ACRA check every 6–12 months. Statuses can change (e.g., struck off, in liquidation), and staying updated protects you from compliance risks.
Is there a free list of all registered companies in Singapore?
Bizfile does not publish a downloadable list of all registered companies. You can search individual entities by name or UEN at no cost, or use ACRA’s data.gov.sg datasets for bulk research. For targeted due diligence, the individual Bizfile search and the S$5.50 Business Profile remain the most reliable tools.
